California Deferred Entry of Judgment

Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ) is the name of the process associated with drug diversion programs in California. If you have been convicted of a drug offense, you may be eligible for alternative sentencing into a drug diversion program under California's Penal Code 1000. If eligible, your sentencing can go through the DEJ process where you will plead guilty to the charges against you in exchange for participating in an authorized drug rehabilitation program. If you successfully complete the program, the charges are dismissed, judgment is not entered against you, and the arrest underlying the deferred judgment is considered to never have taken place. This means that, in the future, you can legally state that you were never arrested in regards to that particular drug offense.

Eligibility for a DEJ is based on the following requirements:

• The drug offense you have been convicted of is your first;
• The drug offense does not include any crime of violence of threatened violence;
• There is no evidence of a narcotics violation other than those mentioned in Penal Code 1000;
• There has never been a revocation of any earlier probation or parole;
• You have not been in a diversion or DEJ program within 5 years prior to the current charged offense;
• You have no felony convictions on your record within 5 years prior.

Those who fail to complete a DEJ program will have their participation in DEJ terminated which means that they will then be subjected to normal sentencing.

Criminal Defense Firm in Orange County, California

Drug offenses are common charges heard in California courts in Orange County and throughout the rest of the state. As outlined above, first offenders that are eligible may be able to participate in a more favorable option. Understanding all of your options in any criminal case is vital if you wish to obtain the best possible case result. That is why it is so important to enlist the services of a reputable and competent criminal defense attorney.

The Law Office of Barney B. Gibbs, based in Tustin and serving all of Orange County, can be of invaluable help to anyone facing drug-related or other criminal charges. Mr. Gibbs has devoted more than 30 years exclusively to the practice of criminal defense. This extensive and focused experience has given him a wealth of knowledge and legal skills which can be applied to your case. He and his firm have handled more than 2,500 criminal cases across Orange County, serving clients facing charges ranging from DUI and domestic violence to drug crimes, sex crimes, theft crimes, probations violations, violent crimes, weapons charges, white collar crimes, and more. Contact the firm for a free case evaluation if you are being investigated by a law enforcement agency or immediately following any arrest.